Art competition

Write about a time when you didn’t take action but wish you had. What would you do differently?

So many times I have missed deadlines for art competitions. I somehow freeze and lose confidence.

I think it stems from a college tutor who told me I would do badly and not get a good degree. I believed him and when I was successful I still questioned my validity. I come from a working class home and I didn’t have the self confidence to dismiss his opinion. I took three years to get over it and forever after I have felt some degree of imposter syndrome. I was once asked as l local artist to judge an art competition. It was so hard, I didn’t know what to do, whether I would disappoint people. The result was announced and I think people were pleased with my choice, but I felt great guilt!

It’s hard to think that those few words my tutor spoke forty years ago, sank deep into my heart. What would I be doing if I hadn’t listened to his poisoned words. I wish I knew then what I do now.

Arthur Berry

I have an Arthur Berry picture of a woman’s head, a pastel drawing. I got it a couple of years ago and I remember him as one of my tutors when I was at college a few decades ago. He was an interesting man, author, artist, playwrite, poet. The potteries Lowry. His technique was unique. Dark pastels and charcoal, depicting the potteries, it’s surroundings, its characters. Laughter and humour is part of it. I love his work.